Sunrisers Brass/Visual/Perc Staff Additions

The staff assessment/selection process for the 2008 season is winding down for the Sunrisers as we now welcome five new additions to our fine team:

Brass Caption Head: SCOTT TOMLIN – Scott is currently an instrumental music teacher in the West Orange, NJ public school system, a position that he has held since 1994. Scott has taught at both the elementary and secondary levels in West Orange. From 1994-1996 he was the assistant marching band director and an elementary band director. Then from 1997 – 2000 Scott was the director of bands at West Orange High School.

During this time Scott’s ensembles where consistently recognized for their fine quality and musicianship at state and national festivals. In 2001 Scott moved back to the elementary school full time where he has enjoyed shaping the musical future of West Orange. In the marching music world Scott has worked with many fine ensembles and teachers in his 20 plus years in the activity. Scott was a member and instructor of the Cadets from 1989 – 1994. During his time with the Cadets, Scott was fortunate enough to be a part of two DCI world championship drum corps (1990, 1993). Scott enjoyed time with the Sunrisers from 1997 – 1999, a time that saw him do everything from be the assistant brass caption head to Rich Guillen , and play mellophone in 1997, to becoming the drill writer in 1998 and 1999, then finally the drum major for the 1999 season. Scott has been a music judge for the USSBA since 2004, and has been a music arranger and drill designer for several band programs since 2001. Scott is a graduate of Montclair State University with a BA in music education, and he is currently pursuing his Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Cincinnati. Scott is pleased to be making a return to the Sunrisers organization. Brass Technician & Instructor – DAVID ABRAMS -David Abrams is currently the band director at Division Avenue HS in Levittown, NY. Previously, he has been the head brass instructor with the Huntington HS Blue Devil Marching Band (2004-2006). He received his B.A. in music performance (euphonium) from the University of Connecticut and M.A. in Music Education at Hofstra University. While at UConn, David marched in the band, served as its manager for two years and played with the University Wind Ensemble. Currently, David is performing in the Northwinds Symphony.

Visual Caption Head – DAVID CARAVELLA – Dave started his marching career in the Raiders Drum & Bugle Corps as a baritone player from 2001 to 2003. He moved on to march in the Cadets of Bergen County in 2004, and the Concord Blue Devils 2005 and aged out in 2006. Dave is the visual caption head at Montville Township HS, Montville NJ: 2007 USSBA Group IV State Champions (Best Visual, Best Effect), USSBA Group IV A Champions (Best Visual, Best Music, Best Effect). Dave also teaches at Fair Lawn High School, Fairlawn NJ, as a brass & visual tech in 2003, 2004, and 2007. Dave returned in 2007 to the Raiders as a brass and visual technician. Dave marched contrabass in the Sunrisers in 2004, and served on the visual and brass staff in 2005 and 2006. Dave is receiving his bachelors of arts in music education from Montclair State University in May 2008.

Assisting Mr. Caravella for the first time in 2008 will be brass section members Sean Breslin and Dennis Pettis, who will serve as key contributors to the administration of a concise and uniform marching technique.

Percussion Front Ensemble Technician – PHIL COIRO – Phil Coiro is a member of the Copiague High School Marching Band percussion staff (front ensemble). Over the last five years, Coiro has been an instructor and clinician for corps, bands and schools around the tri-state area. He studied percussion performance with Raymond DesRoches and Dominic Donato at the Conservatory of Music at Purchase College. Phil leads an active freelance schedule performing professionally with a hand full of theaters throughout the Metropolitan New York area and currently resides in Lindenhurst, New York.

At this time we would like to express our excitement at having Scott Tomlin and Dave Caravella back in the Sunriser family once more, and also extend a warm, public welcome to new staffers Dave Abrams, Phil Coiro and Dennis Pettis. With these notable additions to our already fine staff we’re poised to pick up where we left off and break some new ground.

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